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XI. 



PAPERS 



KZLATINO TO 



CDunl LIE /tnnttnacs fcptbitinn 



THE ONONDAGOES. 



lesfi. 



21 



FRONTENAC'S EXPEDITION, 1G9G. 

[Council Mia. VII.] 

At a Council held at his Ma''^- ffort in New Yorke the 9^^ of 
July 1696. 

Present His Excellency Eenjamin Fletcher &c 

ffred Philips ^ Gab Monvielle ^ 

Steph. Cortlandt > Esq" Peter Schuyler V Esq""' 

Nich : Bayard j John Lawrence j 

His Excell: did Comu)unicate intelligence from Albany with 
the cxanrnnation of a tfVcnch prisoner wherein appears there is 
great preparacon in Ctmithi and a resolution of the Govern"" of 
Canida tC' reduce the five Nations this sunnner that all the men 
between fifteen & fifty in Canidi are ordered to be in readinesse 
and that all the ftVench Indians &Ott.nvawaes are together & that 
they are to joyn the Dawaganhaes 

His Excell. offered his opinion to march up 400 men to the 
Castle of Onondage to encouri;ge and confirme the Indians. 

The Council do approve thereof, but affirm the impossibility 
for want of money which is not to be had our neighbours having 
denyed assistance the Revenue lessened much by the decay of 
trade and great backward nesse in bringing in the taxes 

At a Council held at his Ma'.vs ffort in New Yorke the 27'^ of 
July 1696. 

Present His Excellency Benjamin Fletcher &c. 

ffred Phillips ) John Lawrence ? p „ 

Steph: Cortlandt > Esq-"* Caleb Heathcote ^ 

Gab Monvielle j 
His Excell : did communicate a letter from Mr. Allyn of Con- 
necticult giving account of two ffrench men taken piisoners neere 



324 COUNT FRONTENAC'S EXPEDITION 

the heads of their rivers and that they report there is 1000 (Ticndi 
&, 2000 Indians marched against the five Nations. 

Also a letter from Coll. Ingohlesby with a belt from Onondage 
bringing intelligence of a great body of ffrench & Indians on th's 
side Mount Real! on their march towards them 12 dayes aggo. 

His Excell : desired the advice of the Council what is to be done 
offering his readynesse to march immediately to the frontiers in 
person and his opinion it were convenient to march up men for 
the frontiers that a body may be spared to go to Onondage to cover 
them and show our zeal for their preservacon which will give 
them encouragement. 

It is the opinion of the Council tliat there being no assistance 
of men from the n:ighbouring Colonies and a small summe of 
money sent from Virginia and Maryland to assist in the many 
great charges this Province is put to upon the alarms of the enemy 
it being harvest time and many of the South of the Province 
already listed to recruit the Companyes it will be very grievous 
to take the people from their labour and hardly possible there is 
likewise no money to answer the charge thereof Do therefore 
advise that a letter be wn-ote to the Indians to give them encou- 
ragement and to acquaint them the King of England has sent them 
some presents & desire them to be watchfull. 

At a Council held at his Ma^y^ffort in New Yorke the 3]*'* day 
of July 1696. 

Present his Excell : Benjamin Fletcher etc 
ffred Philips ^ 

Steph: Corthindt V Esq" Gab: Monvielle > ^ 

Nich Bayard ) Caleb Heathcote ^ 

His Excell: did communicate to the Council intelligence from 
the frontiers that the enemy are upon their march that the Indians 
of the five Nations have sent to call for assistance of Christian 
force and did expresse his readynesse to go to Albany 

His Excel!: did desire their opinion what is to be done being 
there's no money in the Colfers 

It is the opinion of the Coiint-il that there may be men lound 
upon the frontiers that upon encouragement will ii arch to the 



AGAI^ST THE ONONDAGAS. 320 

Indian Country If there were a fund to answt r the eharge thereof 

His Excell. did declare his readynesse to go provided they will 
finde money to answer the necessary charge thereof 

Coll. Cortlandt proferred his personal! credit for <£200 towards 
the expedicon 

Coll Bayard offers the same ffred Philips offers the same L* 
Coll. Monvielle the same Coll Ileathcote the same 

His Excell: did recommend to them to procure the creditt each 
for i:200 forthwith. 



FRONTENAC'S EXPEDITION AGAINST THE ONONDAGA 
INDIANS. 1696. 

[Paris Doc. V.] 

The Count is already advised, by despatches at the departure 
of last year's ships, of the preparations for a considerable expe- 
dition against the Iroquois and principally against the Onnonta- 
gues which is the chief nation, where the councils of the other five 
are held, the most devoted to the English, and the most strenu- 
ously opposed to the negociations for peace of preceding years. 
It became of importance to crush them, and it appeared to many 
more advantageous to do so during winter inasmuch as it-vv^as cer- 
tain, said they, to find in the Village at least all the women and 
children who being destroyed or captured would draw down ruin 
on the warriors or oblige them to surrender to us. 

The necessary pre{)arations for this expedition were begun last 
autumn, but the large amount of snow produced a change of de- 
sign, tiie rather as it was impossible to transport the Militia {ha- 
hitans) from the south shore and tbe Island of Orleans to the 
government of Quebec, the river having been absolutely impassa- 
ble from the sailing of the vessels to the commencement of this 
year. 

This it was that caused the adoption of the resolution to proceed 
by the Mohawk country with whatever troops could be collected 
capable of travelling on the snow with the militia of Three Rivers 
and Montreal and Indians, which had always been the plan of 



326 COUNT FRO.NTENAC'S EXPEDITION 

Monsieur the Count de Frontenac who foresaw the ilifikuliy of 
executing the other project during winter. But this dtsign a!s;. 
aborted, because we were informed that a Mohawk prisoner who 
escaped from us, had communicated our intention, and that this 
Nation, united with the English of Orange, awaited us with reso- 
lute determination, which, however, would not have prevented us 
going in quest of them had the continuance of the season permitted 
a large body to make so long a march and to carry munitions Mid 
the supplies necessary for subsisting there. 

*******♦«# 

The intelligence which we stated that M. le Comte de Fronte- 
nac received from the Ottawas obliged us to interrupt what we 
had commenced of the preparations for the Onnontaguc voyage. 
Every thing was put in order during his short stay at Montreal 
He departed for la Chine where the army arrived on the 4^^ July ; 
ten Ottawa savages arrived there the same day, and coming from 
the vicinity of the Onnontagues they roved a long time around the 
village without having been able to make any prisoners, and find- 
ing themselves pursued by a considerable party, took refuge in 
fort Frontenac. They thanked Monsieur le Comte for not havhig 
deceived them, and for having saved their lives by furnishing 
them at that fort with something to eat and, particularly, to 
smoke. 

On the information given them by Sieur Dejordis, a Calvinist 
Captain, who commanded that fort, of the march of M. le Comte, 
they said they were going to meet him, and that they expected to 
accompany him. 

Provisions having been furnished to the Indians, the whole 
army proceeded to encamp on the 6'^ at Isle Perrot. Next day 
it was ranged in the order of battle, which it was intended should 
be observed during the entire mareh. 

The savages, to the number of 500, were so divided that the 
greater portion were always in the van which was composed of 
\wo battalions of troops consisting each of two hundred men. 
Tiiey were followed by several detached batteaux of militia, bear- 
ing supplies and the bagage of M. le Comte, Messrs de Callieres, 
de Vi>udreuil, ami de Ramezay. 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 327 

Monsieur de Callicres commanded the vanguard, having two 
large batteaux on board which were two brass pieces mounted, 
also mortars for grenades, fire works and other necessary ammu- 
nition, with the Commissary of Artillery. 

Monsieur le Comte de Frontenac followed the vanguard sur- 
rounded by the canots of his Staff, Sieur Levasseur, Engineer, 
and several volunteers. The four battalions of militia, stronger 
than those of the soldiers, composed the main body. Monsieur 
de Ramezay, Governor of Three Rivers, commanded the entire 
militia. The rearguard, commanded by Monsieur de Vaudreuil, 
consisted only of two battalions of troops and the remainder of the 
savages who brought up the rear. 

Sieurs de la Durantaye, de May, de Grays et Dumesnil veteran 
captains commanded the four battalions of troops ; sieur de Suber- 
caze acted as Major General and there was an adjutant {Mide 
Major) to each battalion of troops and militia ; sieur de Saint 
Martin, a Calvinist captain, commanded the Quebec battalion ; 
sieur de Grandville, Lieutenant, that of Beaupr6; sieur le Grandpr6, 
Major of Three Rivers, was at the head of the militia of that 
government, and sieur Deschambaux, King's attorney at Montreal, 
commanded the battalion of that place. No officers remained in 
the country except those whom infirmity prevented undertaking 
such a voyage ; and with difficulty were any found for the requi- 
site garrisons. 

Sieur de Maricourt, Captain, led the savages of the Sault and 
the Abenakis who formed one corps ; sieur Gardeur de Beauvaire, 
Lieutenant of those of the Mountain and of the Lorette Hurons, 
and sieur de Beaucourt also Lieutenant, commanded the Algon- 
quins, Socoquois, Nipis&irmens, and the few there were of Ottawas, 
who constituted another corps. 

The order of battle was not deranged during the march, and 
the troops which formed the van on one day, retired on the mor- 
row to the rear. As there were nearly thirty leagues of Rapids 
to be passed, the march was very tedious j it is, therefore, incon- 
ceivable what difficulty \Vas encountered in making the portages, 
being obliged often several times in one day to discharge from 
the batteaux the greater part of the freight. 



328 COUNT FRONTENAC'S EXPEDITION 

Those who have no knowleilge of the country, cannot undt-i- 
stand vrhat we call Cascades and Saults. Falls from seven to 
eight feet high are often met, and there fifty men find difficuliy 
enouoh in dragging a batteaUjand in places less troublesome they 
are under the necessity of getting into the water up lo, and some- 
times beyond the waist, it being impossible to stem the current 
even with the lightest canoes by aid of poles and paddles. 

A part of the army encamped, on the day of departure, above 
the chute called Le Buisson ; the rest followed in file next day 
and the rain obliged them to bivouac there. 

On the 9ti» the Cedars rapid was passed ; on the lO^'i the army 
divided in two to ascend that of Coteau du lac, a part to the north 
and a part to the south. The same thing was repeated next 
morning, and a junction was re-formed at the entrance of Lake 
St. Francis, which is over seven leagues long, and which was 
passed under sail and in full battle array. 

Our Indian scouts reported at night that they had seen some 
ascending and descending trails. A detachment of savages and a 
few Frenchmen w^as formed to march some leagues ahead of the 
main body and to prevent ambuscades. 

On the 12*^ before decamping, nine Abenakis joined Monsieur 
le Comte de Frontenac. Messieurs I'Intendant and the King's 
lieutenant at Quebec remarked in their letters that these savages 
said that they had learned that the English intended coming to 
Quebec. These false reports, which are but too prevalent in 
these parts, did not interrupt the continuance of the march, and 
the camp w^as formed at the foot of the Long Sault. 

However long and difficult, it was all passed on the 13"'. On 
the 14^^ they came to the foot of the Rapide Plat. Sieur de 
Mantesh, Lieutenant, was detached with fifty Frenchmen and 
savages to make the necessary discoveries. 

On the 15"' they arrived at the rapid des Galets; the 16"> after 
having repaired several batteaux, they could not make any more 
than three leagues beyond the place called la Galette w^here the 
bad navigation terminated. 

At those places where portages were required to be made, seve- 
ral detachments marched on land to cover those who drew (the 
batteaux.") On the 17"> the rain prevented a Ions: march. 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 329 

On the IS''' they proceded to within 4 leagues of the fort 
[Froiitenae]. They made more than twelve leagues that day, and 
arrived there the next day, noon ; so that of 70 leagues, the dis- 
tance from Montreal to this fort, they were only four days passing 
through the smooth water, crossing Lake St. Francis included, 
and thirty ascending the Rapids which do not compiise half the 
distance. 

On the 26*'^ they took their departure, and encamped at Deer 
island, [lie aux chevreuils,) the scouts marching continually ahead 
of the army. Sieur du Luth, captain, was left in the fort as com- 
mandant with a garrison of 40 men and masons and carpenters 
necessary for the buildings w^hich he was recommended to hasten. 
There remained only 26 sic in the fort, most of whom were 
wounded in the legs ascending the rapids. 

On the 27'*^ they got to within three leagues o( Rivit-re de la 
Famine [Black River , and on the SS^ii at the mouth of that of 
Onnontague, our scouts reported having seen the trails of nine 
men. 

29'ii. As this river is extremely narrow, 50 scouts were de- 
tached on each side, and the army proceeded only according to 
tlieir reports. Some had seen the trails of thirty' to forty men. 
and the others a canoe which had been only recently abandoned. 
But two leagues could be made this day, and three the next. 
M. le Comie and M. de Vaudreuil with the troops and a 
battalion of militia occupied the northern, and Messrs. de Callieres 
and de Ramezay with the remainder passed on the southern side. 
It would be useless to attempt describing the rapids of this river ; 
the difficulties could not be understood, since by marching from 
n.orni g until night five leagues only could be made in two days. 

30^^'. The portage of all the batteaux, canoes and baggage 
commenced, it being impossible to pass the F. lis otherwise. M. 
le Comte de Frontenac, who expected to pass on foot like the 
others, was borne in his canoe by fifty savages singing and uttering 
yells of joy. The battalions who could not make this Carrying 
place passed it the day following. Four leagues were travelled, 
the road beinir b.tter. 



330 COUNT FRONTENAc's EXPEDITION 

On the first of August, lialf the army was detached beyond the 
river which goes to Oneida {Onnejoust), and made more than 
five leagues in roads up to the knee.- M. de Vaudreuil and the 
majority of the officers were at their head. This precaution was 
the more necessary as at a place called Le Rigols, the river is not 
more than half a pistol shot wide, to the mouth of Lake Ganenta. ' 
Nothing was met during this day's march except the description 
of our army drawn on bark, after the manner of the Savages, and 
two bundles of cut rushes which signified that 1434 men accom- 
panied us. We passed the Lake in the order of battle Monsieur 
de Callieres who commanded that day on the left, that being the 
side of the enemy, made a large circuit under pretence of debark- 
ing on that side, whilst M. de Vaudreuil with the right ^ving 
hugged the shore to clear what he could encounter all around of 
the enemy. The vigorous manner this landing was made, sword 
in hand, convinced us that had the enemy been met they would 
not have long stood their ground. M. de VaudreuiPs detachment 
made a circuit of half a league and anchored at the place where 
M. de Callieres waited. The entire body landed. 

The scouts did not cease marching ; they reporied having seen 
trails proceeding from the village of the Onnontagues to Cayuga 
{Oyogouis) and Oneida (O/ie/oM^^), which induced them to believe 
that the women and children withdrew thither, and that the War- 
riors of these two villages came to aid their brethren. 

A strong light was seen the same night in the direction of 
the village, which caused the supposition that they had burned itj 
it was even supposed that they fired cannon. 

The Fort was completed next morning, the 2^. An Ottawa 
Savage, named the Cat, returned from scouting. He had gone 
some days previously with a Seneca taken last winter, whose life 
had been spared. They at first discovered two women whom they 
had neglected to capture, and they subsequently seized a man who 
was bathing with his wife. The Ottawa w^ished to bind him, but 
the Seneca opposed it, and released him under the pretext that he 
would bring in others, which began to make the Outaouac distrust 

1 La Rigolle is that part of the Oswego River between Lake Onondaga and the 
Mouth oi the Seneca River. 



AGAINST THE ONOXDAGAS. 331 

hiin, but lie liad still more reason to do so when the Seneca quit hiinj 
saying that he wished to eat some new corn, and having wandered 
aside lor that purpose, he uttered the ordinary warning cry to direct 
some young Onnontagues who pursued the Outaouacs, tlie swiftness 
of whose legs saved him. Half a league was made that day. 

Sieur Marquis de Crissaffy, captain, weis left in the foit with 
Sieur Desbergcres, also captain, and some other officers and 140 
militia men and soldiers to guard the batteaux, canoes, provisions 
and other heavy bagage, which could not be transported ; their 
loss would have absolutely caused that of the whole army, and 
though every one wished to share the glory which M. le Comte 
was expected to reap, he thought he could not leave too good 
officeis at this post. The other Seneca, the comrade of him to 
whom we have just alluded, deserted the night of the same day 
to advise his nation of the danger which menaced the Iroquois. 
Inconceivable difficulty was experienced in moving the cannon 
and the remainder of the artillery equipments over marshes and 
two pretty considerable rivers which it was necessary to traverse, 
being obliged to carry them on their carriages and parapets, which 
occupied a very great number of the militia. 

We camped at the place called The Salt Springs, which in truth 
they are. They produce enough of salt to make us wish that they were 
near Quebec; the cod-fishery would be very easy then in Canada. 

The 4^''. The order of battle was formed at sunrise j the army 
being divided in two lines. 

The first was commanded by M. de Callieres who kept on the 
enemy's left ; his centre consisted of two battalions of miliiia and 
the two battalions of troops composed the wings, the artillery 
being in the middle preceded by the two centre battalions. The 
greater portion of the Indians of the first line had been thrown on 
the right wing, as they desired. From iime to time forlorn hopes 
of the most active savages and Frenchmen were deployed to dis- 
cover and receive the first fire. 

The second line was commanded by M. de Vaudreuil who 
placed himself on the right wing. It was composed of an equal 
number of battalions of militia and soldiers. 

M. le Comte* preceded by the cannon was borne, on a chair, 



332 COUNT FRONTENAc's EXPEDITION 

{fauiacil,) belween the two lines, in a position to place himself 
when he thought proper at the head, through the interval of the 
two battalions of militia of the first line. 

Each battalion was only two deep, and showed a very great 
front. M. le Comte had around him his guard, his staff, and the 
canoe and batteaux men. 

They united during the march in some places at which it was 
very difficult to pass the cannon through defiles, and over streams 
of some magnitude where the order of battle was broken, so that 
we were from sunrise till night in getting to the location of the 
village after a number of wheelings {quarts de conversion) and 
other evolutions sufficiently difficult to execute in the woods. But 
the activity of Sieur Subercaze, major, supplied every requisite. 
Ten other men would not have accomplished all that he perform- 
ed alone, and though he was assisted by good adjutants {aides 
major) he considered it nevertheless his duty to be every where. 
This campaign furnished him with an opportunity to signalize his 
activity and his zeal on several occasions, but as this is the princi- 
pal, mention of it cannot be avoided. Never did a man execute 
with more promptitude the prudent orders he received from his 
general. 

If we did not fear being considered rather a panegyrist than a 
historian, w^e should speak as we ought of the conduct of 
Mess''s de Calli^res, de Vaudreuil, Ramezay and other principal 
officers; but the confidence which the King reposes in them is a 
sufficient guarantee that he deems them worthy the posts they 
fill in this country, and it is unnecessary to enlarge in their 
praise to demonstrate that they are truly so. His choice alone 
justifies it. 

The cabins of the Indians and the triple palisade which encir- 
cled their fort were found entirely burnt. It has since been learned 
that it was in a sufficiently strong state of defence. It was an 
oblong flanked by four regular bastions. The two rows of pickets 
which touched each other, were of the thickness of an ordinary 
mast; and at six feet distance outside stood another palisade of 
much smaller dimensions, but from 40 to 50 feet high. 

If the flight of the savages saved the army the'trouble of fore- 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 333 

iiio- iheir forlific^lioiis by licnches, as was resolved upon having 
all the necessary tools, it robbed them of the glory of utterly 
destroying them ; but it must not be expected that the Indians 
will ever stand against a considerable opposing force. The ex- 
pense which this expecUtion entailed ought not however to be 
regretted. 

There were some alarms the night after arriving, and a soldier 
on duty at an outpost was wounded by our people. 

On the 5th arrived two squaws and a child of the Mountain near 
Montreal, w'ho had been a long time prisoners. They told us that 
they had escaped five days ago with the other women and children 
who were removed on the rumour of our approach. Another old 
woman was captured in the woods, and being unable to follow' our 
soldiers broke her skull. In the afternoon a Frenchman, a prisoner 
among the Oneidas, arrived with a savage. They brought a belt 
from that Nation whereby they solicited peace fromM. Le Comte 
de Frontenac. He immediately sent them back, and promised 
peace on condition that they should establish themselves with 
their families among us, assuring them that they should re- 
ceive land and wherewithal to sow it. He added if their wives 
and children were not ready, they should bring five of their most 
influential Chiefs as hostages, and that they should be soon fol- 
lowed by the army to oblige them by force to execute the condi- 
tions imposed on them. 

On the next day, the 7th, a young Frenchman, seven years a 
prisoner among the Onnontaguts arrived in the camp. He had 
escaped with those who had come into the outposts the night 
preceding. He repoited that they had retired with their families 
twenty leagues from their fort, having scouts always arovind 
them in order to fly farther off if pursued. He added that it is 
probable a great number would perish having been in such a 
hurry to fly that they took away scarcely any corn, caches of 
which they hastily made, and that they began to fall short. Al- 
most all these caches were discovered. The grain and the rest 
of the booty consisting of pots, guns, axes, stuffs, wamj)um 
belts, and some peltries weie plundered by our FrenchuKMi and 
Savages. The destruction of the Indian corn was commenced 



334 COUNT FRONTENAc's EXPEDITION 

the same clay, and was continuetl the two followhig clays. The 
grain was so forward that the stalks were very easily cut by the 
sword and sabre without the least tear that any could sprout a^ain. 
Not a single head remained. The fields stretched from a league and 
a half to two leagues from the fort: The destruction was complete. 
A lame girl was found concealed under a tree, and her life was 
spared. 

An old man, also captured, did not experience the same fate. 
M. le Corate's intention, after he had interrogated him, was to 
spare his life on account of his great age, but the savages who 
had taken him and to whom he was given were so excited that it 
was not deemed prudent to dissuade them from the desire ihey 
felt to burn him. He had, no doubt, prepared himself during his 
long life to die with firmness, however cruel the tortures he should 
have to endure. Not the slightest complaint escaped his lips. 
On the contrary he exhorted those who tormented hiin to remem- 
ber his death, so as to display the same courage when those of his 
nation would take vengeance on them ; and when a savage, weary 
of his harangues, gave him some cuts of a knife, " I thank thee," 
he cried, " but thou oughtest to complete my death by fire. 
Learn, French dogs! and ye, savages! their allies — that ye are 
the dogs of dogs. Remember what ye ought to do, when you 
•will be in the same position that I am." Similar sentiments 
will be found perhaps to flow rather from ferociousness, than true 
valour; but there are heroes among barbarians as well among the 
most polished nations, and what would be brutality in us may pass 
for valour with an Iroquois. 

The 9th M. de Vaudreuil returned from Oneida at eight o'clock 
in the morning. He departed on the morning of the 6th, with a 
detachment of six to seven hundred of the most active men of 
the whole army, soldiers, militia and Indians He had, under 
liim, Sieurs de Louvigny and de Linvillieres, Captain ; Desjordis 
and iJauberville, Calvinist Captains ; Soulange and de Sabrevois, 
lieutenants of foot, and several other subaltern officers. Sieur 
de Villedenay, also lieutenant, acted as his Aide de Camp. 

As it was necessary to use great expedition, they did not march 
in as exact order as the army had done ; M. de Vaudreuil con- 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS* 335 

tented himself throwiri;^ the scouts some quarter of a league in 
advance ; and on the wings, between the scouts and the main body 
he jilaced a detached corps of 50, a forlorn hope commanded in 
turn by a lieutenant. They arrived on the same day before sun- 
down within a league of the village ; they would have pushed 
even farther if the convenience of encamping on the bank of a 
beautiful river had not invited them to halt. They were at the 
firs'; dawn in sight of the village and as they were about to enter 
the fields of Indian corn, they met the Deputies of all that 
Nation. 

They requested M. de Vaudreuil to halt, fearing that our sava- 
ges would spoil their crops, assuring him that they would execute 
in good faith the orders which M. le Comte had given to their 
first delegate. 

M. de Vaudreuil determined also on his side to obey punctually 
those which he had received, told them it was useless for iheni to 
think of preserving their grain, as, according to the word of their 
Father they should not want for any when retired among us ; 
that, therefore, he should cut all down ; that their fort an<l cabins 
would not, either, be spared, having every thing readj for their 
reception. 

He found in the village but 25 @ 40 persons, almost all having 
fled at the sight of the detachment, but the most influential chiefs 
had remained. M. de Vaudreuil consented that two or three men 
should follow these fugitives to try to bring them back. 

On entering this village a young French woman was found a 
prisoner, just arrived from the Mohawk. She reported thai that 
Nation and the En<;lish to the number of 300, were preparing to 
attack us. A Mohawk who had deserted from the Sault last year, 
the same who had given information of the proposed attack 
against his Nation, was captured roving around the village. lie 
said he camp there intending to surrender himself to us, which it 
was pretended to believe. An eye was kept on him, notwith- 
standing. He confirmed the report of the young French woman. 

Another savage, also of the same Nation, but who had been 
captured with a party of our people of the Sault, where he resided, 
assured M. de Vaudreuil that the Enolii^h and Mohawks had 



336 COUNT FRONTEKAC'S EXPEDITION 

incited set out to come ; that many of the former had moved out 
from Orange, but that they had contented themselves with 
remaining outside some hours in line, and had returned ; tliat the 
consternation was pretty gtneral among the one and the other. 

This last intelligence caused M. tie VaudreuiPs detachment as 
much regret as the first had given them joy. It was received 
with a thousand yells of satisfaction, particularly by the Abenaki's 
who said they had need neither of knives nor hatchets to beat the 
English ; that it was idle to waste powder on such a set. 

M. de Vaudreuil resolved to await t! em in the wood without 
shutting himself up in the fort. He left on the 9'^ between nine 
and ten o'clock in the morning after having seen it burned and the 
corn entirely cut. He camped the same night two leagues from 
Onnontagu6. The celerity of his movements cannot be too much 
praised, since he occupied only three days in going, coming and 
executing all he had to do, although from one village to the other 
was fourteen good leagues in the woods with continual mountains 
and a multitude of rivers ai!.i large streams to be crosseiL He 
was therefore not expected so soon, and M. le Comte was agreea- 
bly surprized to see him return in so short a time with 35 Oneidas, 
among whom were as we have said, the principal Chiefs of the 
nation, and four of our French, prisoners. 

But we are accustomed in Canada to see him perform so many 
gallant actions, and he has the King's service so much at heart 
that those acquainted with him will not be surprized at this, how- 
ever extraordinary it be. 

The Mohawk deserter was burnt before the departure of the 
army who camped that same day midway from the foit where the 
batteaux were left ; some savages having remained behind in the 
hope of finding more plunder received the fire of a small party ; 
three of them were killed without the enemy daring to advance 
near enough to take their scalps. 

The fort was reached on the 10"' and destroyed. The army 
tiicamped on the 11"> below the Portage, and on the 12^^ at 10 
o'clock in the morning at the mouth of the river, on Lake Fron- 
lenac. It was time to quit that river, and if the waters had been 
asi low as they ordinarily are in the month of August a portion of 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 337 

the batteaux should have been, of necessity, aban loncd, A very 
violent gale from the West retained the army until the 14*^' and 
though it was not altogether calm, ten leagues were made that 
day under sail, though we did not leave until noon. 

The navigation is pretly dangerous for canoes and batteaux ; 
the waves extraordinarily high, and the landing very difficult, 
there being numerous shoals in some places and in others head- 
lands against which the sea breaks at a stupendous height. We 
camped in a river where the wind was less violent, and arrived 
next day, the 15^^, at Fort Frontenac. 

On the 16*''j the militia and soldiers were occupied conveying 
fire-wood to the fort and in cutting and transporting what was 
necessary for the requisite planks and boards. The masons who 
had been left there had erected during the Count's absence a build- 
ing of 120 feet, along one of the curtains, not so high on that 
side as the parapet. The wood work is attached, and there is a 
range of loop holes along the upper loft as in the remainder of 
the fort. This long building contains a chapel, the omcers" quar- 
ters, a bakery and the stores which are at present filled with pro- 
visions for the subsistence of tlie troops for more than eight months, 
exclusive of refreshments and what will be required for the Indians 
who may pass there. The two pieces of cannon, one of which 
was employed in the campaign and a quantity of grenades were 
left there. The army sojourned there the 17*'' ; encamped on the 
IS^' at La Galette and on the 19''^ on Lake St. Franci^:. 

On the same day, the enemy attacked some canoes of our peo- 
ple, who had found means to precede us. One of our party was 
drowned, one wounded ; the enemy lost three men and could not 
be captured by a detachment which was sent in pursuit. 

On the 20"' we arrived at Montreal. Some batteaux upset in 
the rapids and three militiamen were drowned. We were obliged 
to make good to the others the arms and bagage that the boat lost 
by upsetting. 

We might extend the narrative of this campaign to a greater 
length, but as we should be obliged to use terms little known to 
those unacquainted with Canada, we considered this slight sketch 
would suffice. 

22 



338 COUNT FRONTENAC'S EXPEDITION 

It might have been more advantageous to His Majesty's arms, 
and more glorious to Count de Frontenac, had the Onnontagues 
followed their first plan ; it would have, no doubt, cost the lives 
of some brave men, as the Iroquois do not figlit with impunity. 
There might have been, perhaps, six to seven hundred men in their 
fort including those who had come to their aid, and scarcely any 
would have escaped ; but their loss cannot fail to be considerable. 
After M. Denonville's [departure from] the Seneca country, we 
know the difficulty that Nation had to subsist for several years. 
The Iroquois were powerful, and are diminished since • assistance 
from the English, especially in provisions, comes in less abun- 
dantly J wheat is worth twenty francs the minot [three bushels] at 
Orange; the pound of powder, a pistole; lead and other mer- 
chandize are, in truth, cheaper than with us. 

The Mohawks have very little Indian corn ; the Oneidas are 
ruined, and it is not known whether the Senecas will not remem- 
ber the high price the Onnonlaguif's set on provisions at the time 
of their discomfiture, when they were obliged to give most valuable 
belts for supplies. There remain then only the Cayugas who can 
succor their neighbours, and we cannot say if they alone are suffi- 
cient for that purpose. Their hunting and fishing will, witliout 
doubt be interrupted by the different small parties now in the 
field. In fine, it is certain, by continuing the war as at its com- 
mencement, and as Count de Frontenac determined, the Iroquois 
will be reduceu to the necessity of dying of hunger, or accepting 
peace on the conditions we may think proper to impose on them; 
and if the almost invincible obstinacy they seem to have to wage 
it with us continue, we will not despair to bring them to it, if 
this blow, struck without the participation of our allies from abov^^ 
and which they did not believe could be undertaken without them, 
could force them to make as great efforts on their side as we have 
made on ours ; it will be easy to urge them to it as long as the 
French remain at Missilimakinac and at other posts, but when the 
fatal moment of their return arrives, their absence will put an 
absolute termination to the little good will the former may feel 
towards us, when they shall see themselves abandoned. Possibly 
they will be greatly cooled down this autumn, seeing neither pow- 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 339 

der nor ball, nor goods coming to them. How can they be per- 
suaded to wage war without furnishing them with the means • 
how can the destruction of the Iroquois be completed without 
their aid, if they withdraw from us and retire into the woods 1 

Count de Frentenac learned on his arrival, that an Onontatru^ 
who had been captured at the fort above the island of Montreal 
[killed] himself iti prison. 

On the 22<^ August, thirteen Algonquins brought in two Mo- 
hawk scalps, and one woman and two girls, prisoners. Seven 
savages from the Sault and the Mountain who had been detached 
to Oneida with Mons"" de Vaudreuil, brought in a prisoner of the 
same Nation, who was burned at Montreal. Some small parties 
of the enemy appeared along the south shore, but they made no 
attack, and the harvest has been saved very quietly. 



COLL. FLETCHER TO THE LORDS OF THE LATE COM- 
MITTEE DATED THE 22» AUG. 1696. 

[Lond. Doc. X.] 

May it please your Lordships. 

On the 2"<^ instant I had intelligence the Governor of 
Canida was in our Indian Country with 1000 French and 2000 
Indians, and that the people of Albany were in some consternation 
lest the Indians of the Five Nations should joyne with them and 
fall down upon Schenectady and Albany. He surprized one Castle 
at Oneyde which he burnt, and destroyed the Indian corne. The 
Onondages sent away their old men, women and children to the 
southward, the young men tarryed 'till they perceived the French 
were too numerous for them, then burnt their Fort and retreated, 
leaving their corne to be destroyed. It is reported by some pri- 
soners that did escape, that an Indian brought tydings to Count 
Frontenac, that I was on my march from Albany with a great 
army as numerous as the trees of the woods, which hastened his 
retreat, the Cayounges and Sinnekes are no[t] hurt, I wrot to 
Connecticut for their quota and to the Governour of the Jerseys 



340 COUNT FRONTEiNAc's EXPEDITION 

for men to meet me at Albany, but all my endeavours could not 
obtain one man from them 

It is resolved in Council here for His Majty^ service that the 
Oneydes and Onondages be supply'd with corne the ensuing yeare 
which will add to the charges of this Province. 

I have herewith transmitted to your LordP^ a copy of my pro- 
ceedings at Albany on this occasion, I have delayed the giving 
them the present from His Maj'y untill such time I can get them 
all together, and having received advice from the R* Hon^^° the 
Lords of His Maj'y'' Privy Council of a designe the French have 
upon some part of America, I hastened to Yorke, for in a month 
or six weeks time the winds are esteemed a defence to this Coast. 



AJ^ ACCOUNT OF THE LATE EXPEDITION TO ALBANY 
IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST 1696. 

[London Doc. X.] 

July 31. His Excelly Benjamin Fletcher had certain intelli- 
gence that the French were on their march against the Indians of 
the Five Nations. 

Sunday Aug^^ the 2^. Intelligence came the French were in 
the Indian Countrey and that the inhabitants of Albany were ap- 
prehensive of their marching against that garrison. At the same 
time came a letter from the R* Hon^^e the Lords of his Ma*^' Privy 
Council advising of preparacons made by the French against some 
part of America. His Excell. the same day did recommend to the 
Council to cause the guns and batterys to be put in order and 
about noone took his departure for Albany. 

On the 7*'* of Aug'' his Excell arrived at Albany and called a 
Council of such gentl. and officers as were upon the frontiers. 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS, 341 

[Council Min. Vol. VII.] 

At a Council held at Albany the 7^'' day of August 1696. 

Present. His Excellency Benjamin Fletcher &c. 
Coll. Nich. Bayard of the Coll. Rich^ Ingoldesby 

Council Capt James Weems 

Maj"" Peter Schuyler of the Capt William Hyde 

Council • ' Capt. Peter Matthews 

Matth: Clarkson Secy Evert Banker Esq'' 

L' Coll. Charles Lodwick Dirck Wessells, Esq. 

Mr. Dellius the Minister to the Indians 

His Excell the Governor said : — 

Gentl. As soon as I had certaine notice from you that the 
enemy were marched into the Countrey of our Indian friends, and 
by the number of their forces did seeme to threaten this place &. 
Schenectady, I made all the haste I could to yo"* assistance, loosing 
no more time but while I wrott to Connecticutt & the Jerseys for 
such supplys of men as I conceived necessary upon this occasion 
by this letter which I received at the same time (with those from 
Albany) from the Lords of His Matyes Council in England, 
you will see that I could not reasonably draw forces from New 
Yorke nor be well spared from that place myself; yet by advice 
of his Ma^y^s Council there I am come up with a part of my own 
Company and desire yo"" advice what is most proper to be done 
for the King's service and y"^ own safetyes and for the secureing 
the Indians in their fidelity and renewing the covenant chain : this 
we are to consider, that time may not be lost and the Countrey 
not burthened by an unnecessary charge. 

His Excell. further proposed sending thirty men of his own 
Company now brought up with him with a detachment of twenty 
out of each of the three Companyes here, into the Indian Countrey 
to cover the retreate of our Indians and secure them from their 
fears. 

The Council were of opinion the French being retreated it 
would be an unnecessary charge. And offered their advice that 
the Sachems of the Oneydes should be sent for (who are here) 
and their losse condoled, which was accordingly done. 



342 COUNT FHONTENAC S EXPEDITION 

The Council are of opinion that the members of Council present 
with the officers of the Companyes and principle inhabitants of 
this place should meet &. consult with the chiefe Indians now in 
town about the propperest methods for bringing back those Indians 
that are fledd, and settling them firm again in the covenant chain, 
and make report what they have done therein to His Excellency. 
Which His Excell. did approve of & order accordingly 

May it please yo"" Excell. 

In obedience to yo"" Excell. order of the 1^^ instant we under- 
written have mett & considered about the properest methods for 
bringing both those Indian Nations viz^ the Onondages and Oney- 
des that are fled, and renewing with them and the rest of the Five 
Nations the Covenant Chain, and having thereupon sounded the 
opinions of the Sachims of the Maquaes and Oneydos Nations and 
several! of their chiefe men now at Albany, do humbly offer as 
3ur opinions that since we are informed that it is now twelve dayes 
ago the French army left the Indian Countrey and that the Senekes 
and Cayouges are still undisturbed in their own country that the 
Onnondage Nation upon the approach of the enemy have set their 
own Castle on fire and all fledd to be out of the enemy's reach, 
that the Oneydes Nation have in like manner left their Castle and 
great part of them already are come in here to Albany for reliefe 
in their wants of provision and ammunic n &c. and that the Ma- 
quaes Nation or great part of them are in the like manner come in 
hither. We cannot perceive that it can be any great service to 
send any great body of men now to the Upper Nations, who are 
seated at that distance from hence, neither can any men be well 
spared from Albany, here being only three establisht companyes 
in garrison with a detachment of yo^ Excell. own Company now 
brought with you, besides a few inhabitants ; which we judge to 
be little enough for the defence of the place : but we humbly sup- 
pose that its of absolute necessity that small partyes be frequently 
sent out to clear the coast from such small troops that may come 
to annoy the adjacent farmes in getting in their harvest ; and lastly 
with submission we are of opinion that the best method to reduce 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 343 

the Indians that are fled & to unite them wiih the rest to this go- 
vernment as formerly in renewing the Covenant chain, is, — 

First, that trusty and faithfull Indians be procured and sent to 
the Senekes and Cayouges in their Castles and to the Onondages 
that are fledd, with instruccons to acquaint them that His Excell. 
the Governor upon the first newes of the French invading their 
Country came to Albany from New Yorke in order for their as- 
sistance & releife. 

2. That upon his Excell. comeing hither he had intelligence 
the enemy was already departed out of our Indian Countrey. 

3. That it is hardly possible to have a meeting with all the 
brethren of the Five Nations now to consult with them what may 
be propper for the common good and to present them with those 
things which are sent to them from his Excell : great Master the 
King of Great Brittaine, 

4. That therefore yo"" Excell. do appoint the brethren to meet 
you thereunto at Albany this day two months, but if it should so 
happen that by reason of the Onnondages being fledd the brethren 
could not then meet in a body at that time the Onnondages and 
Senekes and Cayouges will consult and pitch upon the time, and 
to give yo"" Excellency timely notice thereof to the end the brc 
thren of the Maquaes and Oneydes may be acquainted therewith 
accordingly, Dated the S^'" of August in Albany 1696. 

NicH Bayard 

G. Dellius Evert Bancker 

DiRCK Wessells P'' Schuyler. 

Coj)y of a Commission left by his ExcelL 
Benjamin Fletcher, Capt. Gen' & Govern"" in Chiefe of his 
]V'Jatycs Province of New-Yorke, &c. to Peter Schuyler Esq. one 
of his Matycs Council for the s'' Province, Mr. Godfrey Dellius 
Minister at Albany and places adjacent, Maji" Dirck Wessells and 
the May"" of the City for the time being. I doe by virtue of the 
power and authority to me given by his Mv^)'^ Letters Patents 
under the Greate Scale of England, hereby impower you or any 
two of you to treat conferr and consult with the Five Indian 



344 COUNT FKONTENAC'S EXPEDITION 

Nations of the Maqua^ Oneydes Onondages and Sinnekes who have 
hitherto been faithful to my Master his Majesty of Great Biittain, 
France & Ireh^nd, Sc^. and to hold a correspondence with thein 
pursuant to such instruccons as you shall from time to time re- 
ceive from me, so as by y endeavours they may be confirmed in 
their fidelity and allegiance. And from time to time you are here- 
by required to give a constant and minute account of all yo^ pro- 
ceedings to me & his Ma^y^s Council for the province of New 
Yorke, and I doe hereby supersede vacate make null any former 
warr* or commission granted in this behalfe. Given under my 
hand and seal att Albany the tenth day of August in the 8'^ year 
of his Ma^yes reigne Anno Dmi 1696, Ben. Fletcher. 

(Copy.) The Instructions. 

Instruccons for Major Peter Schuyler one of his M^tyea Council 
for the Proyince of New- Yorke, Mr. Godfrey Dellius Maj' Dirck 
Wessells and the May"" of Albany for the time being, commission- 
ated by me in my absence to conferr wnth the Five Indian Nations 
for his Ma^y^s service pursuant to the s'' Commission. 

To send out trusty and faithfull Indians with one or two Chris- 
tians that understand the Indian Lane;uage to the Castles of the 
Sinnekes Cayouges and Onnondages who are fled, to acquaint 
them that upon the first news I had of the French Invasion I came 
up to their reliefe and assistance. 

That att my.arrivall at Albany I had intelligence the French 
were retreated out of their country. 

That I am desirous to have a meeting with the Five Nations at 
Albany to consult with them what may be proper for their com- 
mon good and safety, and present them with such things as are 
sent from my Great Master the King. 

And that I desire to meet them the Eleventh day of October 
next, but if it should so happen there be reason of their seperacun 
and flight the brethren cannot meet in a body at that time, the 
Onnondages, Sennekes, and Cayouges being the uppermost Na- 
tions do consult and appoint a time and give me notice thereof, 
to the end the brethren of the Maquaes and Oneydes be acquainted 
therewith that the meeting may not faile. 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 345 

That if any of the Sdchims come down in my absence you hear 
and answer their propositions as you shall finde most to conduce 
to his Ma^*' service and the safety. of the Province. 

That by all opportunityes you give a minute account of these 
affairs to me and his Ma^'"' Council for this Province and from 
time to time follow such further directions and instruccons as you 
shall receive from us. 

And it is hereby further directed by & with the advice of those 
of his Ma*^'" Council here present that the sume of One Hundred 
pounds be lodged in the hands of M"" Dellius towards the defray- 
ing the necessary charges of these persons thus employed for his 
Ma'''" service of which he is hereby obliged to give a particular 
account to me and for his Ma^^^* Council at New Yorke or to the 
Governour & Council for the time being. Given under my hand 
and seale at Albany the tenth day of August in the eighth year 
of his Ma^y^s reigne Anno Domini 1696. 

Ben Fletcher 
(Signed) David Jamison CI. Concilij. 

[Council Minutes VII.] 

Att a Council held at his Matyes ffort in New Yorke the 18'^ 
of Augt 1696 

Present His Excell: Benjamin Fletcher &c. 
Steph Cortlandt ^ John Lawrence 



Esq' 
Nich: Bayard ^ Esq" Caleb Heathcote J ^ 

Gabr Monvielle j 

Resolved the Indians of the two Nations of Onnondage and 
Oneyde whose Corn is destroyed by the enemy be supplyed the 
ensuing winter at the charge of this Government. 

Ordered no Indian Corne be brought down the river from 
Albany Vlster and Dutchesse Countyes untill the Indians be sup- 
plyed this ensueing winter and that the Commisioners appointed 
to treate with the Indians in his Excell: absence do purchase soe 
much corne as is necessary for them. 



346 COUNT FRONTENAC'S EXPEDITION 



LETTER FROM COLL. FLETCHER TO Mr. ELAITHWAYTE, 
DATED THE ISth SEPT^ 1696. 

[Lond. Doc. X.] 

Sir — I am not willing to take up much of your time by ray 
scurvy scribblings ; having said all that occurs to my thoughts in 
this hasty call from the Five Indian Nations, who have been driven 
by the French from their wooden castles and are returned ; they 
desire to see me at Albany in a short warning and I am now ready 
to step on board. The French Count of Canada has made but a 
very silly businesse of it after three years preparation afrighting 
a few naked Indians only ; by this, he shews them his strength 
and his mercy, being this summer recruited from France, he told 
all he took prisoners, his business was to bring them under the 
protection of" his Master but not to destroy them. Our Chlefe 
Sachims would not be persuaded to stay and treate, but seeing his 
force, they fleil, and are relurn'd. I hope to revitt them in their 
allegiance, by the presents sent from His Maj^y and an addition 
sent from this Province ; but yet I want the most congent ar- 
gument ; a good body of men. 



A JOURNALL 
\ 

OF WHAT PASSED IN THE EXPEDITION OF HIS EXCELL. COLL. BENJAMIN 
FLETCHER CAPTAINE GENERALL AND GOVERNOR IN CHIEFE OF THE 
PROVINCE OF NEW YORKE &C. TO ALBANY TO RENEW THE COVENANT 
CHAIN WITH THE FIVE CANTON NATIONS OF INDIANS, THE MO- 
HAQUES, ONEYDES, ONONDAGES, CAYOUGES AND SENNEKES. 

Sept. 17, 1696. On Thursday after sunsett his Excell: im- 
barqued at Greenwich: on Tuesday morning arrived at Albany. 

22. This day his Excell. viewed the fortifications of the city 
and gave orders to y^ May'' and Aldermen for such reparacons as 
were found needfuU in the blockhouses platformes and stocka- 
does. 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 347 

27*'i Sunday afternoone the Sachims of Oncyde and Onnon- 
dage arrived at Albany, in the evening they supped with his Ex- 
cell. giving great expressions of y® joy and satisfaccon they had 
in meeting his Excell. 

28th jjig Excell sent Capt James Weems to view the garrison 
at Schenectady and bring report to His Excell what necessary 
repairs are w^anting which was performed accordingly. 

This day the Sachims of the other three Nations arrived and 
desired time to rest themselves till tomorrow. 

SO'^i His Excell. called the Sachims together and spake. 

At a Meeting of the Sachims of the Five Nations at Albany 
the 29th of September 1696 
Present His Excell Coll Benjamin Fletcher &c 
Coll. Nicholas Bayard ^ 

William Pinhorne Esq > of the Council 

Maj"" Peter Schuyler J 

Matthew Clarkson Esq Secretary. 
The Mayr Recorder & Aldermen of Albany &c 
His Excell said : — 

Brethren, It is an inexpressible satisfaction to me that I see you 
here. I do heartily condole the losse our brethren the Onondagcs 
and Oneydes have susteined by the late eruption of the French 
army from Canida. 

Upon the first certaine intelligence I had, I came up in person 
with [what] I could hastily gather for your assistance. 

And I am now here and present you the Onondages and Oneydes 
these two belts of Wampum as a confirmacon of ray sincerity and 
these kettles to repair your losse in that kinde. 
Brethren 
Two months asroe I received at New Yorke the first intellio^^ice 
that the French had made an insult upon your country. I forth- 
with came up as I said before to yo"" reliefe and assistance. I had 
an account before I did reSch Albany from some of your people 
that the French army were retreated and marched back towards 
Canida. I then sent expresses desiring you all to meet me at this 
place. Some time after I received yo' answer that you would 



318 COUNT FRONTEXAc's EXPEDITION 

meet me about this time in Albany ; and I am now come up a 
second time this summer in order to renew the Covenant Chain 
and to consult with the brethren what is most propper and may 
be most conducing to the common good and safety of the whole 
House. 

I do acquaint yoa from my most illustrious Master the King of 
Great Brittaine, France and Ireland, that he will always extend 
his gracious protecon to you and as a seal of it His Majesty has 
commanded me to deliver you these presents to keep bright the 
Covenant Chain from all rust and to strengthen it in behalfe of all 
his Majesty's Subjects, not only of this Province, but those also 
of New-England, Connecticutt, the Jerseys, Pensilvania, Mary- 
land and Virginia. 
A list of the Presents sent from the Kings Most Excellent 

Majesty and given to the Indians [viz') 
24 blew coats 1 barrell powder 

24 laced hatts 400 weight of lead 

24 p"" shoes with buckles lOOO flints 

24 shirts 1 grose of tobacco pipes, wood 

22 dozen hose and tinn 

SO gunn barrills and locks 2 grose of knives 

30 brasse kettles 6 pound of vermillion 

Prime cost in England of the above goods j£200 sterling. 

Jl list of presents added by the government of JVew Yorke. 

1 piece of duffils 100 hatchetts 

2 cask of Swan shott 54| lbs tobacco in roll 
7 barrills powder 2 grose pipes 

14 large kettles Wampum <£3. 9. 

7 pieces of white hamills for shirts 28 gallons lumm 

All which cost in New York money, . . . ^£169 5 4^ 
For provision to the Indians and repairing their arms 130 19 7 
Cash for Messengers, Indian Scouts for intelligence 

of the Enemyes motion p<^ by Mr. I^llius, Mr. 

Barker, Maj-- Schuyler & Major Wessells . 100 00 

From England i;200 stg in New York money is . 260 00 

Liaiijeeeo 4 ii^ 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 349 

At a Meeting of the Sachems of the Five Nations at 
Albany the first of October 1696. 
Present 
His Excell. Coll. Benjamin Fletcher, &c. 
Coll. Nicholas Bayard 
William Pinhorne Esq'' 
Major Peter Schuyler 
Matth: Clarkson, Esq^ Secy. 
The May Aldermen of Albany &c. 
Sanonguirese a Sachira of the Mohaques was Speaker 
Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We returne you thanks for what you have said the day be- 
fore yesterday in condoling of our losse, and for the kettles which 
you gave us to boyie our victuals in the room of those that are lost 
by the enemy as also for the two Belts of Wampum given us as a 
token of your sincerity, by which our hearts are mightily rejoiced 
and lifted up in this our poor condition. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We are exceedingly rejoiced that the great King over the Seas 
has sent to us in this our low condition, by which our hearts are 
lifted up, we .were ready to sink in a miserable perishing Condi- 
tion and this makes us revive again. He laid down six Beaver 
Skins. 

Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We come to desire you to acquaint the Great King that the 
enemy has brought us to a very low Condition and have distroyed 
five of our Castles ; one is now left, and if that be destroyed we 
know not what to do ; we know not what shall become of us 
next ; pray let the Great King know this. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We desire that since the Great King of England &c has 
Cannoes of Seaventy gunns a piece and many forces, you may 
acquaint him that it is a great pity we should be so plagued with 
soe small an enemy as the French and Indians of Canida. We 
are not able of ourselves to destroy them. 

We are become a small people and much lessened by the warr. 
If the people of Virgiuia, Maryland, Pensilvania, the Jerseys, 



'350 COins'T FRCNTENAc's EXPEDITION 

Connecticutt and New-England who have all put their hand to 
the Covenant Chain will joyne with the inhabitants of this place 
we are ready to go and root out the French and all our enemyes 
out of Canida. He then laid down a bundle of six Bever skins, 
and on the outside thereof a draft of the river of Canida with the 
^ , chiefe places thereof marked to show the smallnesse 

Quebecq ^ 

Montreal of the enemy and how seated upon Canida river : which 
Troy rivier . "^ 

they desire may be sent over and shown to the Great 

King. 

Brother Cayenquiragoe. 

We again thank you for the Message you have brought us 
from the Great King. 

And we pray you to send again to him for us with all vigour 
and speed, and to lay before the King what we have here said, 
faile not in writing, faile not to let the King know it. We give 
these five Beavers to the man that writes, to pay for paper, penn 
and ink. 

Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We desire you to acquaint the Great King as before, that 
we are a small people and he has a great people and many can- 
noes with great gunns, we desire you to write to him to know 
whether he will send them to distroy Canida or not against the 
next time the trees grow green ; and if he will not send forces to 
distroy Canada then to send us word thereof that we may make 
peace for ourselves, for ever, or for some time. 

And we earnestly pray you will desire the Great King to send 
us an answer by the next time the trees grow green. He laid 
down a bundle of six bevers. 

At a meeting of the Sachims of the Five Nations at 
Albany Octob. 2d 1696. 
Present His Excell. Coll. Benjamin Fletcher, «&c. 

Coll. Nich. Bayard ^ 

William Pinhorne Esq. > of the Council 
Major Peter Schuyler, 3 
Matth: Clarkson Esq. Secy. 
The May"" Recorder & Aldermen of Albany &c 
Dackashata a Sachem of the Sinnekes was Speaker 



AGAINST THE ONONDAGAS. 351 

Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We come to condole the losse you daily receive having daily 
alarms of scul king party es of the enemy doing mischiefe. Then 
laid down a Belt of Wampum. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe 

I am come with the whole House to consider what tends to 
the comon good of the whole House 
Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We come here to quicken the fire, and renew the Covenant 
chain. 

Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We come to renew the Covenant chain with all the brethren 
of New England, Connecticutt, New Yorke, the Jerseys, Pen- 
silvania, Maryland and Virginia that they may partake of the 
warmth of the fire. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We recommend to all that are in the Covenant Chain to be 
vigorous and keep it up. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe. 

When all is said I drincke to all yo"" healths & then I deliver 
you the cupp. 

Brother Cayenquiragoe. 

There has been a cloud and we come to remove it, as the 
Sun in the morning removes the darknesse of the night. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe. 

The tree of safety and welfare planted here we confirrae it. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe. 

As the tree is planted here and confirmed, so we make fast 
all the roots and branches of it, all the brethren of the Five 
Nations and the brethren of Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, 
the Jerseys, New Yorke, Connecticutt & New England. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe. 

We wish we may rest in quietnesse under that tree. We 
fill it with new leaves, and wish all that are in the Covenant chain 
may have the benefite to silt down quiett under its shaddow. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe 

I do hereby renew the covenant chain with all that have put 



352 COUNT FRONTENAC'S EXPEDITION 

their hands in it Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania the Jerseys, 
New Yorke, Connecticutt & New England 
Brother Cayenquiragoe. 

We renew the covenant chain in behalfe of the w^hole House, 
the Mohaques, Oneydes, Onondages Cayouges & Sinnekes 
Brother Cayenquiragoe. 

We have lately had the losse of two Castles by the enemy, 
we have concluded to do our best to assist them and we desire 
Cayenquiragoe will doe the same. 
Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We wish the Cannoes may go to and again in safety 
that the Great King may know what we have here said and 
that we may have an answer. We now have made our word 
good : here is the cup. Then laid down some small bundles 
of bever saying — it is but small, but [it] is as it were saved out 
of the fire. 

His Excell: stood up and said— i- 
Brethren 

I have heard what you have said, and have here renewed the 
Covenant Chain with all the Five Nations, the Mohaques, Oney- 
das, Onnondages, Cayouges & Sinnekes in behalf of the Brethren 
of this Province, Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, the Jerseys, 
Connecticutt & New England and I assure the Five Nations of 
His Mamies proteccon. I have provided for you some victuals 
and drink to drink the King's health, and in confirmacon thereof 
that it may last as long as the Sun & Moon endures I give this 
Belt Wampum. 

The principle Sachim of the Mohaques called — Ohee. 

The whole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh. 
The principle of Oneyde called — Ohee. 

The whole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh. 
The principle Sachim of Onnondage called Ohee. 
The whole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh. 
The principle Sachim of Cayouge called Ohee. 

The w^hole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh 
The principle Sachim of Sinneke called — Ohee 
The whole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh 



AGAINST THE ONOXDACAS. 353 

In the evening His Excellency did appoint tlie principle Sacliims 
to meet him at a private confeience next mornintr. 

At a private Meeting of the Sachims of the Five 
Nations at Albany the 3^ Oct: 1696. 
Present His Excell. Coll. Tenjamin Detcher &c 
Coll. Nich. Bayard ) 

William Pinhorne Esq. > of the Council 
Major Peter Schuyler j 
Matthew Clarkson Esq: Sect. 
His Excellency said : — 
„ Brethren 

It was proposed by the Speaker of the Five Nations the 
first dp.y that I should write to my Great Master the King of 
England &c concerning the warrthat is between the Five Nations 
and the French & Indians of Canida and that I should gett an 
answer from the Great King to you the brethren next spring. 
Brethren 

I must assure you its utterly impossible in so short a time to 
send over to my Great Master and to receive an answer for rea- 
sons which I shall now give you. 

The way over the great sea is long, the danger and hazards are 
many, and in the winter season many storms and contrary winds. 
Brethren, 

I do promise you to use all the speedyest means with the 
first opportunity to write to the Great King and to gett you an 
answer which I am sure will be to yo"" content and satisfaction 
and so soon as it comes I shall communicate it to you 
Brethren. 

In the mean time I have appointed Maj"" Schuyler M^ Dellius 
Major Wessells and the Mayor of the Citty of Albany, to receive 
yo'' propositions upon any occasions that may happen in my ab- 
sence. 
Brethren 

I do heartily wish you home well to yo"" own castles and 

that you may look out and be carefull not to be surprized ; you 

can never be too watchfull. I now take my leave of you and 

give each of you a kegg of rurara for a dram to comfort you in 

23 



854 CX)UNT FROKTENAC'S EXPEDITION 

the way home, and a coat to keep you warm in the wlnttr. I 
shall see you again (God willing) next summer or sooner if yo*" 
aifaires call, if it please God to continue my health. 

The Sachims offer to make some propositions. 
Sanongurese Sachim of the Mohagues Speaker. 

Brother Cayenquiragoe 

We have been a long time in the Covenant Chain with the 
brethren of New forke, in which afterwards at sundry times the 
brethren of Virginia Maryland Pensilvania, the Jerseys, Connec- 
ticutt and New England came and linked themselves. Thttf 
like'd the chain of peace, but where are they now; they do not 
like to take part with ns in the war. They are all asleep ; they 
came not to our assistance against the enemy ; their hands hung 
down straight, and their arms are lame; we see none minde the 
warr but the brethren of New Yorke. 

We are now down upon one knee, but we are not quite down 
upon the ground ; lett the Great King of England send the great 
Cannoes with seaventy gunns each, and let the brethren of Vir- 
ginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, the Jer>'eys, Connect icutt & New 
England awake, and we will stand up straight ngaine upon our 
feet ; our heart is yet stout and good ; we doubt not but to de- 
stroy the enemy. Then laid down a Belt of Wampum 

Brother Cayenquiragoe. 

We again desire you to write to the Great King and to gett 
us an answer against the next time the trees become green and 
that there be no delay. Let it not be said to us the cannoes are 
lost under water, or that the wind has carried them into another 
country, or the like excuse, but let us have the answer against 
the trees grow green, without faile, for we are in great need of 
it. Then laid down a Bever Skin. 

To which His Excell: male answer. 
Brethren. I shall be faithfull and exact to my promise to you 
T shall send to the Great King my Master by the first opj)oriunit;y 
and be careful in sending you the Great Kings answer, as I told 
you before ; but T cannot be positive to a time when the voyage 



BD lAS^-B 



AGAINST THE ONOXDAGAS. 355 

tlepends upon winde and weather which are soe uncertaine. I 

wish you well to yo"" castles. 

The principle Sachim of the Mohaques called — Ohee 

The whole number of Sachims answered Heeeeee Hoc;h &c. 



EXTRACT OF GOV. FLETCHER'S SPEECH 

AT THK OPENING OF 4"' SESS. 5'^* PROV : ASSEMBLY 16 OCTOB: 1696. 
[Council Min. VII.] 

Mf Speaker I am to acquaint you I have been necessitated 
twi( e this summer by advice and consent of the Councill to visite 
A-lbany the ffrench Governor of Canida marched with so con- 
siderable a force into the Indian Countrey of Onnondage and 
Oneyde that I could not suppose his design would end there but 
expected that he would with that strength attempt Albany where 
I was ready to adjust my duty in defence of the place he con- 
tented himselfe with a poor insult over our naked Indians and 
retired Yet he destroyed the Castles and corne of those two 
Nations who must perish this winter if not relieved by us. 

You all know they have been true to His Matyes interest in 
joyning with this Province against our common Enemy the ffrench 
and unlesse encouraged may be compelled by poverty to make 
their peace with them. 








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